The Mindful Angler

Saturday morning until Sunday at noon. 4 anglers. All the garbage we brought in, we took out + walked up and down the bank to collect any bits of garbage we could find. All combined, the trash fit nicely into a large dollarama bag. Simple 👌. To my surprise the bank was fairly clean for a change. I wish everyone respected the environment. 

Spent Saturday morning until Sunday at noon on the bank. It's been really tough the last few years to afford time to get out fishing. This was only the third time in 2024 I have been able to get out. Although the weather made it impossible to fish through the night on Saturday, both mornings were very productive. This pristine pre-spawn fish was the biggest of the session. 28.8 lbs. Fantastic battle. No baiting was necessary for these fish. Lots of fish came to a single pop up or with some pack - bait around the lead. Next adventure I hope to be able to take my kids out. 

This mental health week, let us come together as a community to champion mental health, support one another with compassion and empathy, and work towards a future where mental health is recognized as a fundamental aspect of overall well-being. Together, we can build a more inclusive and supportive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 

Just now, smerchly said:

Enemy #1 is fishing line .Some anglers don't realize that birds and animals get caught up in it and die a slow death , like the hawk I saw hanging from a tree at Rooker's Road at P. Dalhousie. And people who walk their dogs don't appreciate having to take Fido to the vets to remove a roe bag and hook for $500+. 

Agreed Smerch. All we can do is educate, inspire and lead by example. 

22 hours ago, smerchly said:

While patiently waiting for the sound of the alarms to grab our attention we can clean up the mess the boneheads left behind . A plastic water bottle may be suitable to put  needles in but be extra careful handling them (tongs ,pliers) . And then there's the butts ! Some actually think they are harmless , imagine that !

We need more people like you Kevin , true stewards of our environment !  

And that goes for hunters too , and everyone else enjoying our great outdoors . ( can't wait to catch up to you on those mirrors Kevin) 

I was always preaching to keep our areas clean and pick up after the ignorant people that can't pick up after themselves but I was guilty for throwing cigarette butts. Once I realized the negative impact they had I quickly changed that behaviour before I quit smoking. 

23 hours ago, Tyler0420 said:

Thanks kev for cleaning up. Looks like you were rewarded with two mirrors 

Instant Karma.

On 4/25/2024 at 9:16 PM, smerchly said:

Thanks , great info . There are times  when I elevate my baits like when there's algae on the bottom . When I first fished for carp Lorne Morley showed me how to use the corn puffs which I can not find now . They float so it was easy to rig them any distance from bottom . Cheerios also float and carp take them too.

That beast on the bottom photo sure  looks to be more than 22 lbs. with that girth ! They must be eating a lot of Rice !

That shoreline looks pretty rough ,sometimes a battle to keep the fish clear of the debris . 

This photo was taken at Lake Gibson near Beaverdams Rd. . (MNR)

 

Lake Gibson! WOW Smerch. Yes sir those are big fish!

3 hours ago, Tyler0420 said:

Thanks kev for cleaning up. Looks like you were rewarded with two mirrors 

Karma bro

A quick tidy at Rice Lake this past weekend. I was surprised and disappointed to see this. 2 LARGE ziplok bags of spent shells scattered in the area we were fishing. We fished an island and safe to assume it may be an area duck hunters frequent. We left the place immaculate. 

##leavenotrace 

This was the biggest common caught during our little adventure. 22lbs. The biggest fish to date for me to see at Rice Lake. There is a very healthy population of fish in there.

8 hours ago, smerchly said:

Beautiful markings on those mirrors !! I didn't know Rice Lake has a good number of mirror carp .

Two the same day ? And you had nasty weather to boot ! 

What was  the bait of the day ?  Someday , I hoping to catch a grass carp , have you had any luck with those yet Kevin ?

And why the chest waders Kev ?

 

I had the bigger mirror on saturday and the smaller mirror sunday. It's rare to get a mirror Smerch. 2 is a blessing. And this is the 3rd time I have had 2 mirrors during the same session. The mirror whisperer lol. Just good luck sir and the stars were aligned.

The weather was tricky, we had to pick our windows to fish. The wind was raging. 

I caught majority of my fish on a 15mm banana pop-up. I used what they call a ronnie rig and it keeps the bait up off the bottom. 

I have never seen a grass carp sir, nor have I encountered anyone who has personally caught or seen one in canada.

The chest waders were to stay dry. I was up and down a bank that was getting smashed with waves. Majority of my fish I fought and landed in the water. I often do this. In this particular swim I fished, waders were absolutely necessary. Was a bonus to have them for a photo in the water as well!

The last few years has been difficult for me to get out like I normally do. That being said, I truly appreciate the times when I can get out on the bank. This year I had one short 3 hour session locally, and a trip to Rice Lake this past weekend. Friday night until Monday morning, 3 of us fished when we could. The wind made it impossible to fish for most of the day Saturday, and almost impossible to fish during the night. Everyone caught fish and we had a great time together. I wanted to share the absolute beautiful mirror carp I caught. For most Canadian carp anglers, catching a mirror is nothing short of extraordinary! These fish were the highlight of the trip for all 3 of us. 

6 hours ago, Fish Farmer said:

Stelco Fishing Club, Dofasco Angling Club and The Golden Horseshoe Outdoors Club.

The Stelco club keeps me busy with arranging meetings and memberships.

Our annual Awards night is this Friday held at the Stoney Creek Legion.

Being retired it keeps me busy and trying to get a few days in fishing.😃

 

Incredible. Busy man you are !

8 hours ago, Fish Farmer said:

Thanks for posting Bill, I'll forward this on at our club meetings.

Which club sir are you involved with?  I am back on the site after many years and although I remember seeing you name, I've forgotten what it is you do. Thanks for forwarding this as well!

7 hours ago, Port_D_Guy said:

I don't have any children, but always look back and was grateful when my father took my brother and I out fishing. This was usually a Sunday thing  and trips "Up North" for long weekends and summer vacations.

Yes! I hear ya. It's nostalgic for most. Lots of people remember their first fish, or going with their parents. I have fond memories of when I was really young and believe that for many years fishing was what I was missing in my life. When my oldest daughter was a competitive rower, I used to fish at all the regattas. When I would land a fish, the kids always came running. They were in absolute aww to see anything. Last year I took some of my daughters friends out for panfish. The smiles and gratitude was incredible! 

On 3/27/2024 at 7:06 PM, Radio said:

I agree with everything you have said here mindful angler. I think everybody struggles sometimes... I know I do. I am also no stranger to the opioid crisis as I have lost family members to this and have felt the effects of it for many many years. I definitely use fishing as a form of therapy without even thinking about it. As you mentioned, there are so many benefits to fishing. I also believe music and learning an instrument can have huge benefits as well. Trying to figure out a song or just jamming with friends or alone can be a great way to stay in the moment, but not as good as fishing!! Haaa!!! Peace!!

Thank you Radio. I too am very familiar with the opioid crisis and grateful to have come out of it on the right side. There is no shame in struggling, it's ok to not be ok. Unfortunately there is still much stigma around mental health, and this is a big reason why I try and advocate where I can. Fishing has been monumental for me as a coping mechanism, and I also have witnessed it's positive effects on others and my own children! It would be nice down the road to see fishing recognized as a social prescription, an alternative or in conjunction with some counselling, as opposed to a handful of medication. 

Thanks for sharing.

In today's technology dominated world, it's crucial to get kids outdoors and unplugged. Fishing offers the perfect opportunity for this! Being outdoors exposes kids to nature, teaching them to appreciate its beauty. Fishing is also a great way for families to bond, creating lasting memories and strengthening ties. It provides a much-needed break from screens, allowing kids to reconnect with reality. Initiatives like the SCGFA kids summer derby introduce kids to fishing, fostering community and excitement. It looks like an awesome event and the kids art contest is very engaging as well. 

We should prioritize getting our kids outside and fishing. Sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, neighbours, your friends kids, it doesn't matter!  It's about more than just catching fish—it's about fostering a love for nature, creating memories, and giving kids the chance to unplug and unwind. Most times when I take my daughters carp fishing, while we wait for a bite they find so many things to do. Finding beach glass has been fun over the last few years. Its so rewarding to see them being kids, getting their feet wet, getting dirty and NOT on devices! 

I posted the 2 brochures that I was given. I will definitely be attending and I hope to see some members out with their kids as well! 🍻

19 hours ago, toaster said:

You should see all the garbage along 12 mile from the homeless camps.

Where specifically sir? 

Should I arrange a shore clean up? For May maybe? I could likely get volunteers from the CCS. My family would join. Id be more than willing to provide the garbage bags, latex gloves and sharps containers for any needles we may encounter.

THOUGHTS? 

19 hours ago, smerchly said:

Excellent video Kevin , we need to get the word out to keep our fishing spots open . "GARBAGE" should be on the first page of our fishing and hunting regulations . When we hunted northern Ontario we left our camp sites very clean and the MNR guys would inspect shortly after .  

NFN has had some cleanups , the largest one took place at Jordan Harbour ,another at the Niagara Pool /Glen .

We must be wary these days as some places have used needles . So we should know what to do when finding them ?  We can pick them up with pliers or tongs and dropinside a plastic water bottle ? They are found mostly under bridges and locally at places on the shores of the 12 Mile Creek .

Yes needles are common these days. Luckily only 1 that Im aware of that came from the SCGFA spring clean-up, my daughter found it by the water. Puncture proof gloves are a must, but pliers or tongs work too. Safest place to dispose of them sir are in a sharps container. 

On 3/31/2024 at 12:22 PM, smerchly said:

I always look for fishing line at my shore spots . Last week I found a short piece of heavy mono with 2 hooks . I have been posting about garbage for many years here.

I have seen the results of careless anglers leaving trash , like a dead hawk hanging from a tree and reading about a dog having a roe bag and hook removed at the vets.

Check out the search window here using the words trash and garbage . It's been going on for a long time.

I remember your posts Smerch. You too are a true ambassador! We can all make a difference. 

Witnessing garbage at fishing spots has long been a source of frustration for me. Several years ago I was inspired by a true fishing ambassador and steward of the environment, I felt compelled to take action. With the support of the Canadian Carp Society, I initiated the CCS LEAVE NO TRACE garbage drive, aiming to raise awareness among our core team and beyond. This initiative was very well received in our community and across all social media. 

Trash can lead to closures of our favourite fishing spots. Nobody wants that. It can harm wildlife, pollute waterways, and spoil the beauty of nature we cherish so much. We have the power to change this. By educating ourselves and others, by engaging in responsible practices, and by leading by example, we can be the driving force for positive change.

We can make a real difference by not only bringing home the garbage we bring out with us, but also by bringing a garbage bag with us fishing and picking up after others. Leaving our fishing areas better than we found them not only leaves you feeling good, but also promotes positive karma. 

At the SCGFA general meeting I was so pleased to see that there are other groups doing similar initiatives and promoting shore cleans ups! 

I hope this year to see others engage in this practice, participate in group clean-ups, share photos and inspire others to do the same! 

#LEAVENOTRACE

Great ending to the story Smerch. You are a gentleman.

1 in 5 Canadians in any given year struggle with a mental health issue. I for sure am one of them. One of the best ways I cope is to go fishing, the other way is to advocate and help break the stigma surrounding mental health. Fishing is the ONLY activity that most times I am able to be completely present in the moment. I am hoping to spark some engagement on the NFN surrounding mental health and fishing 🙏

Mental health and mental illness can seem a bit confusing, so let's break it down. Mental health is basically how you're doing emotionally and mentally overall. It's about feeling good about yourself, handling stress, and getting along with others. Think of it as your mental well-being.

Now, mental illness is when things aren't going so great in your head. It's like having a cold, but for your mind. This could mean feeling down a lot, worrying too much, or having trouble focusing. Mental illnesses can range from mild to serious, like depression or anxiety disorders.

Here's something alarming: even though a lot of people deal with mental health issues, many aren't getting the help they need. Can you believe that 1 out of 2 people struggling with mental health aren't getting the support they require? That's a big problem we need to fix.

Anxiety is super common too, affecting 1 in 8 people. It's like that jittery feeling you get before a big test, but turned up to 11.

And then there's the opioid crisis, where 21 people in Canada die every single day from overdosing. Not only is this a physical health issue, but it's also got big mental health implications. Addiction is tough to deal with on its own, but when it's mixed with mental health struggles, it's even harder.

Scary fact: 200 people in Canada try to end their lives every day. That's a huge number, and it shows how crucial it is to raise awareness and support each other when it comes to mental health.

Canada has made progress in mental health care, but we've still got a long way to go. We need to smash the stigma surrounding mental health, make it easier to get help, and make sure everyone understands what's going on.

Remember, it's totally okay not to be okay. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. One cool thing that can help your mental health is fishing. It's a chill way to relax, connect with nature, and just take a break from everything going on in your head.

The positive impacts that fishing can have on one's mental health cannot be denied! FISIHNG OFFERS: Stress Reduction, Mindfulness, Physical Activity, Connection with Nature, Social Connection, Sense of Achievement, Escape from Routine, Therapeutic Benefits, Relaxation, Improved Mood, Decreased Anxiety, Enhanced Concentration, Boosted Self-Esteem, Increased Vitamin D Exposure, Mindful Breathing, Mental Clarity, Improved Sleep Quality, Reduced Symptoms of Depression, A creative Outlet, Appreciation for Wildlife. 

20 hours ago, smerchly said:

Those mirrors are bruisers !  They look to be in the 30 lb range and I noticed your finger hold on them is exactly the same 

I also noticed that one of your secrets is wearing camo jeans .  A picture  can reveal some secret info sometimes . ☺️

I have caught 4 mirror carp over many years but none come close to those fatties !  Congrats !

The leathery one with not many scales was 21 lbs. The fully scaled mirror I forgot to weigh in all the excitement. We fished an entire day in cold and windy conditions in early April. The first fish came and we were in such disbelief that we caught, not to mention the fact on how it looked. When the 2nd fish hit, and we realized it was another mirror, caught on the same bait, from the same location, in all the excitement and photographs we forgot to weigh it! I believe somewhere between 18 - 20 lbs it would have been.